Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 19, 2025

Heterogeneity Mapping of Protein Expression in Tumors using Quantitative Immunofluorescence
Published on: October 25, 2011
Importance of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography heterogeneity indices in
Ali Ogul1, Ilhan Birsenogul2, Aygul Polat Kelle3
1Health Sciences University, Adana City Education and Research Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology - Adana, Turkey.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between metabolic tumor heterogeneity indices in patients with driver mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer, with a particular focus on the impact of heterogeneity indices on prognostic outcomes.
Methods:
Patients diagnosed with metastatic small-cell lung cancer with driver mutations were included in this study. The relationship between the patients' 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography parameters and heterogeneity indices and survival was examined.
Results:
Heterogeneity index-1 values greater than 0.29 were associated with an increased likelihood of mortality (61.7% in the exitus group compared to 28% in the survivor group, p=0.006). Lower heterogeneity index-2 values were more prevalent among the exitus group, with a statistically significant difference observed between the groups (55.3% in the exitus group versus 24% in the survivor group, p=0.010). The mean overall survival time was longer in patients with low heterogeneity index-1 levels (p=0.006). The mean overall survival time was found to be similar between the heterogeneity index-2 level groups (p=0.672).
Conclusion:
18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography metabolic tumor heterogeneity indices are an important tool for predicting the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer patients with driver mutations.

